Planning a Camping Trip? What to Borrow Before You Buy

Sep 30

4 min read

If you're new to camping or only go once or twice a year, borrow the big-ticket gear, like the tent, swag, camp kitchen, esky and chairs, and buy only the small personal items you'll use every trip. Borrowing lets you try camping without spending a fortune, and helps you work out what you'd actually want to own before you buy.

Camping is one of the great Australian holidays: long weekends by the river, beach campgrounds in summer and starry nights in the bush. But kitting yourself out can easily cost more than the trip itself. The smart move is to borrow first.

Why borrow camping gear?

Camping gear is bulky, expensive and used only a few times a year by most families. It also comes in so many styles, from swags to dome tents to rooftop tents, that it's hard to know what suits you until you've tried it.

Borrowing lets you:

Try before you buy, so you'll know whether you prefer a swag or a tent, a gas stove or a camp kitchen
Save money on gear that might only come out once a year
Save space in your garage or apartment
Say yes to last-minute trips without a big shopping list

What camping gear should you borrow?

These items are ideal to borrow from friends and family:

Tent or swag: the most expensive item for most campers
Sleeping mats or stretchers: these make a huge difference to a good night's sleep
Camp chairs and a folding table
Gas stove or camp kitchen
Esky or portable fridge: essential in Australian heat
Gazebo or shade shelter: for sun and rain protection
Lanterns: rechargeable LED lanterns are handy around camp
Water containers: for campsites without drinking water
Portable power station: for charging phones and running lights on longer trips

What camping gear is worth buying yourself?

Some items are personal, cheap or needed on every trip, so they're worth owning:

Head torch: inexpensive and endlessly useful
Pillow and sleeping bag liner: a liner lets you borrow a sleeping bag hygienically
First-aid kit
Sunscreen, insect repellent and a hat
Personal toiletries and a quick-dry towel
Reusable plates, cups and cutlery, if you'd rather not borrow them

Check borrowed gear before you go

Nothing ruins a trip faster than arriving at camp to find missing tent poles. A little preparation goes a long way.

Do a practice set-up at home

Pitch the tent in the backyard or a local park a few days before you leave. Check that:

All the poles, pegs and guy ropes are there
Zips work and the flyscreen has no holes
There's no mould or mildew, which happens when tents are packed away damp
You know how it goes up, so you're not learning in the dark

Check the gas and stove

If you're borrowing a gas bottle, check the test date stamped on it. LPG cylinders in Australia must be re-tested every 10 years, and many refill stations won't refill an out-of-date bottle. Test that the stove lights and the hose has no cracks.

Charge everything

Top up lanterns, power stations and portable fridges before you leave.

Check the rules where you're going

Some campgrounds and national parks have fire restrictions, and rules about camp stoves can change during total fire bans. Check with the campground or park authority before you go.

When should you ask to borrow camping gear?

Camping gear is in high demand around school holidays, Easter, long weekends and the Christmas break. Ask as early as possible, ideally when you book your campsite.

If you and your friends camp at different times of year, you can share one good set of gear rather than each owning your own. Keeping a shared list of who has what makes this easy. With ThingLibrary, your circle can see which tents, eskies and chairs are available and request them ahead of time.

Returning camping gear the right way

Camping gear needs a bit more care than most borrowed items:

Dry the tent completely before packing it away. If you had to pack up wet, set it up at home to dry within a day or two to prevent mould.
Shake out sand, dirt and leaves.
Clean and dry the esky, leaving the lid open to air out.
Wipe down the stove and camp kitchen.
Refill the gas bottle if you used a fair bit.
Count the pegs and poles before you hand it back.

Return it in the condition you'd want your own gear back, and you'll always be welcome to borrow again.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for my first camping trip?

Shelter (a tent or swag), something to sleep on, a sleeping bag, a way to cook, an esky, chairs, lighting, water and personal items like a head torch, sunscreen and a first-aid kit.

Is it better to borrow or hire camping gear?

Borrowing from friends is usually free and great for a first trip. Hiring can suit specialised gear or longer trips when nobody you know has what you need.

How do I stop a tent from going mouldy?

Always make sure it's completely dry before storing it. If you pack up in the rain, set it up to dry as soon as you get home.

Can I borrow a sleeping bag?

Yes. Using your own sleeping bag liner keeps it hygienic and makes it easy to share.